High School Volunteer Abroad Programs

Encounter a wide world of history and culture through service-learning. Global Volunteers’ high school volunteer abroad and USA programs enable students to discover their skills and strengths as they learn first-hand about the wider world. For one to three weeks, they gain on-the-ground experience and understanding on a variety of assignments appropriate for high school students – such as tutoring, childcare and labor. In this way, they contribute valuable assistance to ongoing development programs integral to our community partners’ success. And they gain skills for broad social contributions after graduation.

As an international NGO, we’ve worked with over 100 academic institutions since 1984 on high school and college service-learning agendas. Our safety record and itineraries are rated among the best. We collaborate with faculty, student service committees and campus organizations on your school’s goals for cultural immersion with measurable outcomes. LGBT service opportunities for students of all ages are offered for groups and individuals.

High school volunteer abroad during winter and spring break, and over summer vacation bridges the knowledge “gap” between academics and real life. We can collaborate with you to meet your group’s individual needs. We’ll certify volunteer service hours so your student group can meet study abroad, service-learning or class requirements. If you’re a student coordinating high school volunteer abroad programs in your school, we’ll help you investigate academic credit through independent study and research. Our development programs expand students’ global perspectives beyond international borders.

High school faculty recommend Global Volunteers as a premier student volunteer abroad program. Students likewise praise the learning opportunities they can’t obtain in classrooms, textbooks, or even on Instagram! We’ll work with you to integrate genuine community development projects into diverse volunteer abroad opportunities for teens.

For instance, our “Students as Teachers” (SAT) program enables teens to teach conversational English to other students worldwide. Using our Conversational English Teaching Guide, lesson plans, games, songs, and skits, high school students “teach like pros” in Cuba, Greece, Peru, Poland and other countries. Groups can also tutor students in math and science, read to pre-schoolers, nurture babies, play with toddlers, and more through high school volunteer opportunities in Ecuador, Romania, St. Lucia, Appalachia and the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.

We’ll Meet Your Service-Learning Requirements

Program Logistics: Safety is our Number One priority. Meals, lodging, ground transportation, orientation, volunteer assignments and security precautions are managed by our staff. Our country manager and/or team leader guides your international student volunteer group every day – except during your selected free-time activities.

Year-Round Dates: All volunteer abroad for teens is available on standard, regularly scheduled programs, or custom dates to accommodate your school’s schedule. You can request an exclusive group program or serve with other volunteers.

Coordinate your program with one call: 800-487-1074.

We Support and Prepare High School Volunteers.

Professional in-country staff and partners

On-site orientation and team-building sessions

24-hour emergency phone contact

Emergency medical evacuation insurance

Volunteer fundraising assistance

Professional skills and work project interest questionnaire

Program summary materials and reading lists

Conversational English Teaching Guide

Global Volunteering Manual

Essential Services Prospectus

Language and cultural introductions

Hotel lodging in most partner communities

Fundraising, Discounts and Credits

We offer generous discounts and fundraising assistance to high school service-learning groups:

Group Coordinator Goes Free – Intact groups are eligible to have one program charge waived for a group leaders on high school volunteer abroad and USA service programs.

Global Volunteers fundraising page – Many high school student groups raise funds for part or all of their service program from family members, colleagues and friends on our website.

Preparing High School Students for Dynamic Futures

This is Service. Seriously. As one of the oldest and largest USA-based NGOs offering short-term high school volunteer abroad itineraries, we fully engage focused, compassionate, and adventurous teens in purposeful community projects. Students earn up to 40 community service hours per week on full-day programs helping to deliver essential services to children and families.

Students who immerse themselves in other cultures gain the perspective, tolerance, and open-mindedness required to become peace-waging adults. Foundational skills such as critical thinking, creativity, global understanding and problem solving prepare them to become leaders and problem-solvers for the world’s pressing problems. As an internally recognized high school volunteer abroad leader, we offer ethical service-learning opportunities to help groom our world’s future leaders.

“We experienced more than I ever thought we could in one week. This is a great way for a group to get to know another culture. I have visited a number of reservations over the years and have worked with people on a number of them. These have been among the most meaningful and beneficial experiences in my life.”

“I realized how my contribution made up a piece of the relationship between the United States and India … and how, when combined with other (volunteers) it’s very influential. This experience gave me a unique and unparalleled educational growth, especially at such a formative point in my life. It definitely will affect my future career plans.”

Sara MarleyIndia student volunteer

“This experience reiterated the importance of service in my life. I now look into traveling that includes volunteering. I hope to bring more college students on Global Volunteers programs. If more people took the time to understand each other’s perspectives, before voicing their own, the world might be a bit more friendly.”

Christy Heaton Associate Director for Orientation and First Year Student Success, University of New Orleans

“Since my Global Volunteers program in Tanzania, I have given talks on the experience throughout the world highlighting the positive contributions your organizations makes. Thank you for all you and Global Volunteers is doing.”

John AlsupProfessor, Black Hills State University

“It was one of the best weeks of my life. I really enjoyed learning about the Blackfeet culture and getting to know the people. I was happy to help out in the community wherever I was needed, and could not have asked for a better team. I hope to participate in more Global Volunteers trips in my future. My program was amazing!”

Ally ShatzMontana student volunteer

“The program allowed me to re-assess what’s truly important. I taught children who barely had clothes covering their bodies who were happy and laughing. Their smiles were the largest things about them. A warm smile truly transcends any language barriers and creates memories that linger long after the experience has ended.”

Dana Starace-NastasiTanzania volunteer

“This week has been a gift to me. The people I’ve met and gotten to know are a gift to me. I can only say thank you. The things that we are capable of doing for other people shouldn’t be done simply because we feel we should be good, or we feel we should ‘give back.’ It seems to me that everyone here is creating a world of good simply by living outside of their boxes.”